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attack-surface.md

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Attack Surface Analysis for timescale/timescaledb

Attack Surface: SQL Injection via TimescaleDB Functions

  • Description: Exploiting vulnerabilities in user input sanitization when using TimescaleDB-specific SQL functions, leading to malicious SQL code execution.
  • TimescaleDB Contribution: TimescaleDB introduces new functions (e.g., time_bucket, create_hypertable) that, if used in dynamically constructed queries with unsanitized user input, can become injection points.
  • Example: A web application allows users to specify a time interval for data aggregation. If the application directly uses this user-provided interval in a time_bucket function within a SQL query without validation, an attacker could input malicious SQL code instead of a valid interval, potentially executing arbitrary SQL commands.
  • Impact: Data breach, data modification, data deletion, unauthorized access, denial of service.
  • Risk Severity: High to Critical
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Parameterized Queries (Prepared Statements): Always use parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions, especially when user input is involved.
    • Input Validation and Sanitization: Strictly validate and sanitize all user inputs before using them in SQL queries, especially when constructing queries involving TimescaleDB functions.
    • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant database users only the necessary permissions.

Attack Surface: Resource Exhaustion via Resource-Intensive TimescaleDB Features

  • Description: Abuse of resource-intensive TimescaleDB features (e.g., continuous aggregates, large time-range queries) to overwhelm the database server and cause denial of service.
  • TimescaleDB Contribution: TimescaleDB's features designed for time-series data, while powerful, can be computationally expensive. Uncontrolled or malicious use of these features can strain database resources.
  • Example: An attacker repeatedly sends requests to an API endpoint that triggers a very broad time-range query on a large hypertable without proper filtering. This forces TimescaleDB to scan massive amounts of data, consuming excessive CPU, memory, and I/O, potentially leading to database slowdown or crash.
  • Impact: Denial of service, performance degradation, application unavailability.
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Query Limits and Throttling: Implement query limits and request throttling at the application level to prevent abuse of resource-intensive queries.
    • Query Optimization: Optimize queries, especially those involving large time ranges or continuous aggregates.
    • Resource Monitoring and Alerting: Monitor database resource usage and set up alerts to detect unusual spikes.
    • Rate Limiting API Endpoints: Implement rate limiting on API endpoints that interact with TimescaleDB.

Attack Surface: Vulnerabilities in TimescaleDB Extension Code

  • Description: Exploiting undiscovered bugs or vulnerabilities within the TimescaleDB extension's codebase (C and SQL code).
  • TimescaleDB Contribution: As a software extension, TimescaleDB's code itself can contain vulnerabilities like any other software.
  • Example: A buffer overflow vulnerability in a TimescaleDB function that handles time-series data processing. An attacker could craft a specific input that triggers this overflow, potentially leading to code execution on the database server.
  • Impact: Code execution, data corruption, denial of service, privilege escalation.
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Keep TimescaleDB Updated: Regularly update TimescaleDB to the latest stable version to benefit from security patches.
    • Security Monitoring and Intrusion Detection: Implement security monitoring and intrusion detection systems.
    • Vulnerability Scanning: Periodically scan the database system for known vulnerabilities in TimescaleDB.

Attack Surface: Insecure Extension Installation and Update Process

  • Description: Compromising the process of installing or updating the TimescaleDB extension, leading to the introduction of malicious code.
  • TimescaleDB Contribution: The extension installation and update process is a potential attack vector if not secured.
  • Example: A man-in-the-middle attack during the download of the TimescaleDB extension package, replacing it with a malicious one.
  • Impact: Installation of backdoors, data compromise, complete system compromise.
  • Risk Severity: High
  • Mitigation Strategies:
    • Verify Download Integrity: Always download TimescaleDB extensions from official and trusted sources and verify package integrity.
    • Secure Communication Channels (HTTPS): Ensure secure communication channels for downloads and updates.
    • Secure Package Management: Use secure package management practices.
    • Principle of Least Privilege for Installation: Restrict access to the database server and extension installation.